Novel substituted 1,2,4-triazoles

ABSTRACT

Compositions useful in the treatment of gout and hyperuricemia and containing a substituted 1,2,4-triazole as the active ingredient are provided, the triazoles being substituted at the 5 position with a pyridyl radical and at the 3 position with a phenyl or a pyridyl radical. Methods of preparing these substituted triazoles are described. Certain of the compounds are novel.

United States Patent 1 Baldwin et al.

[ NOVEL SUBSTITUTED 1,2,4-TRIAZOLES [75] Inventors: John J. Baldwin, Lansdale;

Frederick C. Novello, Berwyn, both of Pa.

[73] Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ.

[22] Filed: May 21, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 361,915

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 75,784, Sept. 25,

1970, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl....260/295 E; 260/294.8 R; 260/295 AM; 260/296 R; 260/294.8 F; 424/263; 424/266 [51] Int. Cl. C07D 213/75 [58] Field of Search..... 260/295 AM, 295 E, 296 R, 260/308 R, 294.8 R

[56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,092,359 11/1954 France 260/308 R OTHER PUBLICATIONS Roberts et al., Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry,

[ 51 July 1, 1975 Benjamin Publishers, Page 806, (1965), OD 251 RS8 C6.

Geldard et al., J. Org. Chem., Vol. 30, D(1), pp. 318-319, (1965), QD 2411.6.

Kubota et al., Chem. Abstracts, Vol. 58, (3) 2449a, Feb. 4, 1963.

Basu et al., Chem. Abstracts, Vol. 68, 114, 391n, June 17, 1968.

Primary Examiner-Alan L. Rotman Attorney, Agent, or FirmDaniel T. Szura; J. Jerome Behan [5 7] ABSTRACT 9 Claims, No Drawings 1 NOVEL SUBSTITUTED 1,2,4-TRIAZOLES This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending US Pat. application, Ser. No. 75,784, filed Sept. 25, 1970 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to the use of certain 1,2,4- triazoles which are substituted in the 3 and 5 positions, and which may optionally be substituted in the l position as anti-gout and anti-hyperuricemic agents.

2, Description of the Prior Art The t herein-described 3,5-di-substituted-l,2,4- triazoles have utility anti-gout and antihyperuricemic agents.

Gout is a condition affecting humans and lower animals, which is characterized by perversion of the purine metabolism resulting in hyperuricemia, i.e. an excess of uric acid in the blood, attacks of acute arthritis, and formation of chalky deposits in the cartilages of the joints. These deposits are made up chiefly of urates, or uric acid.

Uric acid serves no biochemical function in the body and is merely an,end product of purine metabolism It is well known in the art that the purine bases adenine and guanine, which play key roles in a wide variety of chemical processes. both give rise to uric acid in the body. Adenylic acid and guanylic acid are converted to the free purine bases 'bydestructive metabolic enzymes. A portion of the free purine bases is converted to purine ribonucleotides and the remainder is degraded to the free bases xanthine and hypoxanthine. A single enzyme, xanthine oxidase, converts both xanthine and hypoxanthine to uric acid for excretion.

Although human purine biosynthesis can be inhibited at the stage of formyl glycinimide ribotide by the gluta' mine antogonists azaserine and 6-diazo-5-oxo-1- norleucine, a high incidence of undesirable side effects precludes their being used clinically for this purpose. In recent years, substantial progress had been made in attempting to control the excessive levels of uric acid in patients afflicted with gout through the use of pharmaceutical agentsluric acid synthesis has been effectively blocked by .the use of allopurinol, i.e., 4- hydroxypyrazolo-[3,4d]-pyrimidine, a compound which is a structural isomer of hypoxanthine. Allopurinol acts as a specific inhibitor of the enzyme xanthine oxidase, which is responsible for the conversion of both hypoxathine and xanthine to uric acid. As a direct result of the administration of this compound to patients afflicted with gout, part of the uric acid which would normally end up in the urine is replaced by the oxypurines, hypoxanthine and xanthine, thus greatly reducing the content of uric acid in serum and urine. Azathioprine has also been used to inhibit excessive purine synthesis, and thus reduce the abnormally high amounts of uric acid found in the serum and urine of afflicted patients. Other compounds, such as acetylsalicylic acid, thiophenylpyrazolidine and phenylbut az one have been employed in the treatment of gout. Many of the existing compounds used in the treatment of gout, however, relieve the inflammation and other symptoms connected therewith but have no effect on the conditions which give rise to gouty arthritis or hyperuricemia. Thus, there is still a need for compounds which can be employed in the prophylactic treatment of gout as well as for the treatment of other abnormal conditions associated with hyperuricemia.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

where R represents hydrogen, loweralkyl, lower alkanoyl, benzenesulfonyl, carbamoyl or loweralkyl carbamoyl, R represents phenyl, loweralkylphenyl, pyridyl or lower alkyl pyridyl, and R,-, represents pyridyl or loweralkyl pyridyl; are useful as anti-gout and antihyperuricemic agents in that they inhibit the action of xanthine oxidase and thus reduce the uric acid content of serum and urine. Also useful for the same purpose are the N-oxides and pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acid salts of such compounds, the N-oxides and the salts being of the pyridine'ring present in the molecule.

These compounds also posses useful hypotensive activity and some of the compounds exhibit bronchodilating properties.

There are provided pharmaceutical compositions containing these substances as anti-gout, antihyperuricemic and hypotensive agents, and the method of treating gout, hyperuricemic and of lowering blood pressure by the administration of effective amounts of such compounds and compositions containing them to ahost requiring them.

Certain of these compounds are novel, for example, the N-oxides, those wherein R, is other than hydrogen, and those where R is other than 4-pyridyl, and the invention contemplates providing these novel compounds and methods of preparing them.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

The preferred compounds to be used in the compositions and methods of this invention as anti-gout, antihyperuricemic and hypotensive agents are those of Formulas Ia and lb above wherein R, is hydrogen, a loweralkyl radical and preferably one containing from l-5 carbons, saturated or unsaturated, such as methyl, ethyl, butyl, amyl, propenyl or propargyl, a loweralkanoyl radical and preferably one of 26 carbons such as acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, benzenesulfonyl, a carbamoyl or diloweralkylcarbamoyl radical where the loweralkyls are preferably methyl, ethyl or propyl. In the most preferred aspect of the invention, R is hydrogen.

R represents a phenyl or alkylphenyl radical which may have from l-3 alkyl substituents which are preferably loweralkyl such as methyl, ethyl, or butyl. It also represents pyridyl or loweralkyl pyridyl, the latter con- 5 taining from 1 to 3 loweralkyl groups which may be the ferred aspects of the invention, R is phenyl or 4- pyridyl.

R can be pyridyl or loweralkyl pyridyl as described for the R substituent. The preferred compounds are those wherein R is 4-pyridyl.

Included within the scope of the invention are the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of these 1.2,4- triazoles. They include the alkali and alkaline earth metal salts such as the sodium, potassium and calcium. Also included are the acid addition salts and quaternary salts of the pyridyl nitrogen, examples being the methiodides, ethiodides, hydrochlorides, sulfates, tartrates, oxalates and the like. N-oxides of the pyridyl substituents are also within the scope of the invention.

As previously stated, the foregoing compounds have the property of reducing the concentration of uric acid in blood and urine, and also of reducing blood pressure. These therapeutically active compounds are administered to mammals requiring such treatment admixed with or intimately dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, preferably in the form of a solid, orally administrable, unit dosage form such as tablets, or capsules, or as solutions or suspensions of the type represented by syrups and elixers. The amount of active ingredient in the pharmaceutical composition may be varied within reasonable limits depending upon such factors as pharmaceutical elegance and the amount of drug desired at each administration. It is convenient to employ solid unit dosage formulations containing from about 25-500 milligrams of active ingredient, and liquid preparations containing from about 540% by weight of triazole.

These pharmaceutical compositions may be made be any of the known pharmaceutical methods. For example, for tablets the triazoles are compounded with an inert pharmaceutical carrier which may contain a suitable binder such as, for example, gums, starches, and sugars. They may also be incorporated into a gelatin capsule with or without a diluent, or formulated into elixirs, syrups or suspensions which have the advantage of being susceptible to manipulations in flavor by the addition of standard natural or synthetic flavoring materials. The compound is generally administered in compositions which are so proportioned as to afford a dosage of about 30 mg. to 1.5 gm. per day as the effective amount. The preferred oral dosage level is about 100-800 mg. per day.

The following examples serve to illustrate typical tablet, capsule, and elixir formulations containing the therapeutically active triazoles of this invention:

FORMULATION I: COMPRESSED TABLET COMPRISING 0.5 GM. OF ACTIVE INGREDIENT The 3 -(3-pyridyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-l,2,4-triazole is granulated with the starch paste and while moist passed through a No. 14 screen, dried at 45C. for 20 hours,

and then passed 3 times through a No. 14 screen. The

FORMULATION II: ENCAPSULATION FOR 350 MG. CAPSULE INGREDIENT AMOUNT 3-phenyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole 250 Lactose 93 Talc 7 The lactose, talc and the 3-phenyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-l,2,4- triazole are blended in suitable blending equipment, and encapsulated into a No. 2 capsule at a target weight of 350 mg.

FORMULATION III: LIQUID SUSPENSION FORMULA INGREDIENT AMOUNT g./I.

Veegum H.V. 3.0 Water 150.0 Methyl paraben 1.0 I -methyl-3,5-di(4-pyridyl I ,2,4-triazole 50.0 Kaolin 10.0 Flavor 1.0

Glycerin, 9.5 to 1 liter Suspend Veegum in water with vigorous agitation, add methyl, paraben and allow to stand overnight to ensure complete hydration of Veegum. In separate vessel suspend l-methyI-3,5-di-(4-pyridyl l ,2,4-triazole in about 750 cc. of glycerin. Add kaolin and stir until homogenous. Slowly add aqueous dispersion of Veegum and methyl paraben. Add flavor and continue agitation for 1 hour to ensure homogeneity. 0.8. with remaining glycerin to 1:1. Stir until homogeneous. l Teaspoonful contains 250 mg. of 1-methyl-3,5-di-(4-pyridyl)-I,2,4- triazole.

Representative compounds which are part of the present invention which may be formulated as described above are:

3 ,5 -di( 2-pyridyl)- 1 ,2,4-triazole, 5-(4-pyridyl)-3-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)-1 ,2,4-triazole, 3 ,5 -di( 2-methyl-4-pyridyl l ,2,4-triazole, 5-(4-pyridyl )-3-( 2,6-dimethyl-4-pyridyl)-l ,2,4- triazole,

3 ,5 -di(2,6-dimethyl-4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole, 1-butyryl-3 ,5-di( 4-pyridyl l ,2,4-triazole, 1-acetyI-3 ,5-di(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole,

I-ethy1-3 ,5-di(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole, l-carbamoyl-3 ,5-di( 2-pyridyl 1 ,2,4-triazo1e, 3,5-di( 4-pyridyl )-l ,2,4-triazole,

3-phenyl-5-( 4-pyridyI-N-oxide )-l ,2,4-triazole, 3,5-di(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazo1e hydrochloride, and

5 3-( 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl )-5-( 2-methyl-5-ethyl-4- pyridyl)- l ,2,4-triazole sulfate.

The. compounds of Formulas Ia and lb can be prepared by the series of reactions set forth in the followvent. The preferred temperataure range is between lOO200C. The reaction time is dependent upon the particular temperature range employed. The reaction is carried out without isolation of the intermediate and ing flow diagram: 5 the final cyclized product is isolated and purified by I? 2 NH II n R -C-NH-NH 3 R c ow R C-NH-N-CR Ha IIIa Iva BF l f 5 Ib O n SIH O NH R CNH-NH g 5 R C OW R CNHI;IC-R

IIb IIIb Ivb wherein R, is hydrogen or alkyl and R and R are as defined above, and W is a lower alkyl group containing 1-5 carbons.

As can be seen from the above reaction scheme, a substituted hydrazidecompound such as, for example, and acid hydrazide of formula Ila or llb is reacted with an imino ester of formula Illa or lllb in a suitable solvent. Either low boiling solvents such as methanol, ethanol, or nitromethane, or high boiling solvents such as decalin, xylene or dimethylsulfoxide may be employed. When low boiling solvents are used, the product of the reaction is usually the intermediate acylamidrazone IVa or lVb; A reaction time of 3-20 hours at tempera tures from room temperature to the reflux temperature of the solvent is employed. Depending upon the nature of theR, substituent, either the final cyclized product is obtained or the intermediate acylamidrazone. In the case where the intermediate acylamidrazone is obtained, the intermediate may be heated without solvent at about 100-300C. for from about minutes to several hours, or it may be heated in a high boiling solvent at a temperature from about l00200C. for about lhours.

The final cyclized product isisolated and purified by techniques known in the art. When high boiling solvents are employed, the reaction is conveniently carried out at or near the reflux temperature of the soltechniques known in the art. For example, the product may be crystallized from a suitable solvent, such as methanol or ethanol. As can be'seen from the above reaction diagram, where R, is alkyl, the selection of the particular hydrazide compound and the particular imino ester will depend upon whether the alkyl substituent is desired adjacent to the R or R;-, substituent.

Compounds having a substituent in the l-position can also be prepared by reacting the 3,5-di-substituted triazole with an appropriate alkylating, acylating or carbamoylating agent. Where R and R are both different substitutents, a mixture of compounds is obtained, i.e., the R substituent may be attached to either one of the adjacent nitrogens in the triazole ring. For example, where the R substituent is a lower alkanoyl group such as an acetyl or butyryl group, the triazole is reacted with a lower alkyl anhydride such as, for example, acetic anhydride or butyric anhydride. Where the R, substituent is an alkyl group, alkylation is achieved by reacting the sodium salt of the triazole with an alkylating agent such as, for example, dimethylsulfate, Alkylation of the 1,2,4-triazoles generally occurs in the 1- position. Where the alkyl group is a methyl group, methylation can be achieved by reacting the triazole with diazomethane in a suitable solvent, such as diethylether. The l-carbamoyl compounds can be synthesized by reacting the sodium salt of the triazole with room temperature for /2 hour and is then added to-a solution of N-methylisonicotinic acid hydrazide (6 grams, 0.04 mole) in methanol ('80 ml. )1 The-solution is refluxed for 3 hours and is then concentrated until a solid separates out of solution. The solid iscollectedbyfilcarbamoyl halide or di-lower alkyl carbamoyl halide in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran. i

The following examples are given for the purpose of illustration and not by way of limitation.

EXAMPLE 1 tration and, upon recrystallization from ethanol, 1- Z-METHYL-4-PYRIDYL)-I 2. methyl-3,5-di(4-pyridyl)-1 ,2,4-triazole is obtained,

TRIAZOLE i m.p. l68l70.C. Sodium (0.4 grams) is added to 4-cyanopyridine (8.3 N grams, 0.08 mole) in methanol, and the solution is al-- EXAMPLE 12 lowed to stand 30 minutes at room temperature. A susl METHYL 3 (4 PYRIDYL) S (4 PYRIDYL l pension of 2-methyhson1cotm1c acid hydrazlde (0.07 OXIDE) l 2 4 TRIAZOLE mole) in methanol 160 ml.) is added, and the resulting I solution is heated at reflux for 30 minutes. After cool- 5 T a solution of y py g ing, the intermediate acylamidrazone is collected by mole) in h n is added Sodium filtration. The acyclic intermediate is then heated at g The resulting SOlu n iS o ed t0 Stand at 260C. for minutes, after which the reaction is room temperature for hour and is then added to a socooled to room temperature. Upon recrystallization lution of 1-isonicotinoyl-2-methylhydrazine (6 grams, from acetonitrile-water, 5-(4-pyridyl)-3-(2-methyl-4- 0.04 mole) in methanol (80 ml.). The solution is refluxed for 3 hours and is then concentrated until a solid separates out of solution. The solid is collected by filtration, and, upon recrystallization from ethanol, 1- methyl-2-(4-pyridyl)-5-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-l,2,4-

triazole is obtained, m.p. 219221C.

EXAMPLES 29 pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole is obtained, m.p. 245248C.

EXAMPLES 2 9 The following compounds are prepared by the reaction procedure described in Example 1.

COMPOUND EXAMPLE HYDRAZlDE NlTRlLE MELTING POINT 2 Z-mcthylisonicotinic 2-mcthyl-4-cyanopyridinc 3 .5-bis( 2-methyl-4-pyridyl)- 22923 lC.

acid hydrazide 1,2,4-triazolc 3 isonicotinic acid 2,6-dimcthyl-4-cyano- 5-(4-pyridyl)-3-(2,6di- 292-293C.

hydrazidc pyridine mcthyl-4-pyridyl l ,2,4-

' triazole 4 2.6-dimcthylisonico- 2,6-di mcthyl4cyano- 3,5-bis( 2,6-dimcthyl-4- 313314C.

tinic acid hydrazidc pyridine pyridyl)-l,2,4-tria7.ulc

5 nicotinic acid Z-cyanopyridinc 3(2-pyridyl)-5-(3-pyridyl)- 246.5248C.

hydrazidc 1 ,2.4-triazolc 6 isonicotinic acid Z-cyanopyridinc 3( 2pyridy1)5(4-pyridy1)- 260'26lC.

hydrazidc 1 ,2,4-triazolc 7 nicotinic acid 3-cyanopyridinc 3,5-di(3-pyridyl)1,2,4- 223-225 C.

hydrazidc triazole 8 p-toluic acid 4-cyanopyridinc 3-(p-tolyl)-5-(4pyridyl)- 226-228C.

hydrazide 1,2,4-triazole 9 isonicotinic acid 4-cyanopyridinc-N-oxide 5-(4 py ridyl)-3 -(4-pyridyl- 332334.5C.

hydrazidc V l? 1-oxide-'1 .'2.4- triazole l EXAMPLE 10 I EXAMPLE 1.3

l-BUTYR-YL-3,5-D1(4-PYRIDYL)- 1 ,2 ,4-TR 1A ZOLE l-BENSENSULFONYL-3,5 DI-(4-PYR'1DYL 1 ,2,4' 3,5-Di(4-pyridyl)-'l,2,4-triazo1e 0.5 grams) is added RI'A Q E, 2 to butyric anhydride (10 ml.), and the reaction mixture 4 To 1.06 g. ,(0.005 mole) of 3 ,5 -di(4-pyridyl)-l,2,4- is heated at steam bath temperatures for 20 hours. The triazole in 100 ml. of tetrahydrofuran is added 57% soresulting solution is concentrated until a solidseparates so dium hydride in mineral oil (021 g., 0.005 mole).;The out of solution,- and the solid is collected by filtration. rea cti i i heated a t refl x. f l/ h u Cooled Upon recrystallization from hexane, l'-bu'ty 'yl-'3- :5- d a solution of .benzenesulfonyl chloride (0.88 g., di(4-.pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole is obtained. A 0.005 mole). is added. The reaction mixture is heated l l61 18C.

i I at reflux for V1 hour, cooled, filtered and concentrated When in the above procedure acetic anhydride is emto a solid. After recrystallization .from acetonitrile 0.4 ployed in place of butyric anhydride, 1-acetyl-3,5-diof l-benzenesulfonyl-3,5-di(4-pyridyl)-l,2,4-triazole (4-Py yU- QA- is Obtained, -P- melting at 2 102l2C. isobtained. 15'5.5-l58C. 1

When in the above procedure propionic anhydride is g 1 g s 14 employed in place of butyric anhydride, l-propionyli v 3,5-bis-(4-pyridyl)-l,2,4-triazo1e is'obtained. l-D ETHYLCARBAMQYL-3,5-D1(4- PYRIDYL);

- 1,2,4-TR1AZOLE I To 2.13 g. (0.01 mole) of 3,5-di(4-pyridyl).- 1,2,4- triazole in 200.m1.1of tetrahydrofuran is added 57% sodium hydride in mineral oil (0.42 g., 0.01 moles). The reaction mixture is heated at re +ux forl hour, cooled and a solution of dimethylcarbamoyl chloride (1 g., 0.01 mole) in 10 m1. of tetrahydrofuran is added drop- EXAMPLE ii I l-METHYL-3,5-Dl(4-PYR1DYL)-l,2,4-TR1AZOLE To' a solution of 4-cyanopyridine (4.1 grams, 0.04 mole) in methanol (60 ml.) is added sodium (02 grams). The resulting solution is allowed to stand at wise. The reaction-mixture is heated at reflux for 4 hours, cooled, filtered-and concentrated to an oil which solidifies. After recrystallization from benzene 1.2 g. of l-dimethylcarbamoyl-3,5-di(4-pyridyl)-1',2.4- triazole melting at 140 l41.5C.is Obtained.

EXAMPLE i 1-METHY L-3 (p-CHLOROPHENYL)-5-(3- PYRIDYL)-l,2,4-TRIAZOLE To 3-cyanopyridine (2 g.) in methanol (30 ml.) is added sodium (0.1 g.). The-solution is allowed to stand 0.5 hours at ambient temperature and is then added to a solution of l-methyl-2 (p-chlorobenzoyl)hydrazine (3.6 g.) in methanol (40 ml). The reaction mixture is heated at reflux for 5 hours and is then concentrated to an oil which solidifies. After recrystallization from isopropanol, yielding 0.2 g. of l-methyl-3-(p- EXAMPE 1-METHYL-3'(p-CI-lLOROPHENYL)-5-(4- PYRlDYL)-Zl-,2,4-TR-'IAZOLE When 4-cyanopyridine isused in place or 3- cyanopyridine in the process described in Example 1 rnet hyl-3-(p-chlorophenyl)-5-(4 pyridyl)-l,2,4 triazole is obtained which melts at 19l C.

EXAMPLE 1? TR'IA ZOLE" I To 4-cyanopyridine (2 g.) in methanol ml.) is added sodium (0.1 g.). The solution is allowed to stand 0.5 hours at ambient temperature and is then added to a solution of 1-methyl-2-nicotinoyl-hydrazine (3 g.) in methanol (30 ml.). The reaction mixture is heated 5 hours at reflux and is concentrated to an oil which solidifies. After chromatography on silica gel and recrystallization from acetonitrile 0.8 g. of 1-methyl-3-(3- pyridyl)5-( 4-pyridyl)-l ,2,4-triazole melting l32133C is obtained.

EXAMPLE l8 l-METHYL-3,5-BIS(PYRlDYL)-1,2,4- TRIAZOLE WHen 3-cyanopyridine is used in place of 4- cyanopyridine in the process of Example 17, l-rnethyl- 3,5-bis(3-pyridyl)-l,2,4-triazole is obtained melting at l48149C.

EXAMPLE 1 9 l-METHYL-3-PHENYL-5-( 3-PYRlDYL)-l ,2,4- TRIAZOLE To 3cyanopyridine (2 g.) in methanol (30 ml.) is added sodium (0.1 g.). The solution is allowed to stand 0.5 hours at ambient temperature and is then added to a solution of l-methyl-Z-benzoylhydrazine (3 g.) in methanol ml.). The solution is heated 5 hours at reflux and is then concentrated to an oil which solidifies. After chromatography on silica gel and recrystallization from a mixture of acetonitrile and water, there is obtained 200 mg. of lmethyl-3-phenyl-5-(3- pyridyl)-l,2,4-triazole, m.p. 9798C.

3-phenyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-.l,2,4=triazole is obtained, m.p.

l32l34C.

EX W l-METHYL-3-(4-PYRlDYL)-5-(2-PYRlDYL)-l,2,4-

TRIAZOLE To Z-cyanopyridine (2 g.) in methanol (30 ml.) is added sodium (0.1 g.). The solution is allowed to stand 0.5 hours at ambient temperature and is then added to a solution of l-methyl-2-isonicotinoylhydra2ine (3 g.) in methanol (50 ml.). The solution is heated at reflux 4 hours and-. concentrated to a gum. After chromatography on silica gel and recrystallization fromacetonitrilewater 450 mg. of l-methyl-3-)4-pyridyl)-5-(2-pyridyl)- l,2,4-triazole are obtained, melting at l45146C.

EXAMPLE 23 When 2,6-dimethyl-4-cyanopyridine is used in place of 2-cyanopyridine in the process of Example 22, 1- methyl-3(4-pyridyl)-5-(2,6-dimethyl-4-pyridyl)-1,2,4- triazole is obtained, m.p. l76l78C.

EXAMPLE 24 1-METHYL-3(4-PYRlDYL)-5-( 3-PYRlDYL)-l ,2,4- TRIAZOLE When 3-cyanopyridine is used in place of 2- cyanopyridine in the process of Example 22, l-methyl- 3(4-pyridyl)-5-(3-pyridyl)-l,2,4-triazole is obtained which melts l43144.5C.

EXAMPLE 25 l-n-PROPYL-3 ,5-BlS(4-PYRIDYL)-l ,2,4- TRlAZOLE To 3,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-l ,2,4-triazole (4.4 g.,0.02 mole) in dry tetrahydrofuran (200 ml.) is added 57% sodium hydride in mineral oil 1 g. 0.024 mole) and the mixture is heated 45 minutes at reflux. The suspension is concentrated to a solid, N,N-dimethylformamide ml.) and n-propyl iodide (0.022 mole) are added. The mixture is stirred 0.5 hour at ambient temperature followed by heating on the steam bath for 4 hours. The solution is concentrated to a gum, water is added and the material solidifies. Following recrystallization from methylcyclohexane there is obtained 1-n-propyl-3,5- bis(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole, m.p. 8889.5C.

EXAMPLES 26 30 Following substantially the same procedure described in Example 25 but replacing the n-propyl iodide by an equimolecular quantity of the alkylating 11 agent identified in column 2 of the following table, the l-R -3,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole compound having the R substituent identified in column 3 is obtained.

Any departure from the above description which conforms to the present invention is intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A compound of the formula l or 1 1 5 1 k 5 wherein R is lower alkanoyl, carbamoyl or di-loweralkylcarbamoyl and R and R are each pyridyl.

2. A compound of the formula:

are both a pyridyl one of R and R may be said N- oxide.

3. A pyridyl-N-oxide of a compound having the formula:

R N N La. \N J wherein R is loweralkanoyl, carbamoyl or di-loweralkylcarbamoy]. R is pyridyl, mono-loweralkylpyridyl or di-loweralkylpyridyl; and R is pyridyl or loweralkylpyridyl.

4. A compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R and R each represent 4-pyridyl.

5. A compound as claimed in claim 4 wherein R is di-lower alkylcarbamoyl.

6. A compound as claimed in claim 5 wherein R is dimethylcarbamoyl.

7. A compound as claimed in claim 4 wherein R is lower alkanoyl.

8. A compound as claimed in claim 9 wherein R, is

acetyl.

9. Non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of claim 2.

3,892,762 July 1, 1975 Patent No. Dated JOHN J. BALDWIN and FREDERICK c. NOVELLO It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In Column 11, Claim 1, line 22 II R R N II i L or W R R N R should read In Column 12, Claim 2, line' 6, "N-oxides" should read Signed and Seal ed this seventh Day of October 1975 [SEAL] Attest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner of Parents and Trademarks 

1. A COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA
 2. A compound of the formula:
 3. A pyridyl-N-oxide of a compound having the formula:
 4. A compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R3 and R5 each represent 4-pyridyl.
 5. A compound as claimed in claim 4 wherein R1 is di-lower alkylcarbamoyl.
 6. A compound as claimed in claim 5 wherein R1 is dimethylcarbamoyl.
 7. A compound as claimed in claim 4 wherein R1 is lower alkanoyl.
 8. A compound as claimed in claim 9 wherein R1 is acetyl.
 9. Non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of claim
 2. 